Leviticus 1:4. “And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.” HAND UPON THE HEAD. He makes his choice with care, cautiously looking over each leg, each ear, each eye, all parts of the body with a concern that no blemish is found. With breath indrawn at the choice he finally makes, he lifts the animal, and cautious lest something happen that would mar its perfection; he walks with careful steps to the place where God meets with His people.
Leading up to this day, there is a sense of increasing devotion toward God. He has experienced deliverance. He has experienced walking through the Red Sea on dry land. He has eaten miracle bread and flesh. He has been satisfied with the water that flowed from the Rock in the wilderness. He wants to show his appreciation to God. Some things are better seen than spoken.
So now, for the first time, he is going to offer a burnt offering to the Lord. Though he has sinned, he has experienced forgiveness. His desire is for the Lord alone. He knows the presence of God is there as he lifts his eyes and sees the cloud above. At night the glow from the heavenly fire keeps the darkness at bay and he rests assured that God is there – dwelling with His people.
But now this: this personal act of faith, this sense of wanting to draw near to God Himself, brings him with this perfect specimen of his herd to step inside the gate of the tabernacle and bring his offering to the officiating priest.
First, He puts his hand upon the head of the animal in an act of identification. This animal is to be slain for me. It is sinless, I am not; it is perfect, I am not. He kills the young animal he has raised from its birth. He then cuts it into appropriate pieces and the priest who acts as a mediator, picks out each proper part and places it on the altar. Some parts he must wash with water and when all is done as God decreed, he stands back and watches the smoke of the sacrifice ascend to God. God, who knows the hearts of all people, has accepted his offering, and he finds joy in his soul.
By faith, we too, place our hand on the Head of the Perfect Sacrifice. By faith we stand by the cross-altar and see the One who is offered, accepted by God on our behalf. It is with the joy of being accepted in the Beloved that we come, place our hand of faith on Him, see the value of the sinless sacrifice, and go away with joy – the joy of devotion.
“O Holy Father: thanks for allowing us to come to Thee through Christ. Thanks for accepting us in Him. Thanks for making known to us the privilege of identification. Thanks for making it possible for us to enjoy the benefits of what Thou dost see in the Sacrifice that Thou hast provided. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”